Federal officials have failed to release $625 million in promised security funding for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, missing a January 30 deadline and raising concerns among host cities about their ability to adequately prepare for the major international event.
New Jersey Representative Nellie Pou, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, believes partisan motivations are behind the Department of Homeland Security’s failure to distribute the allocated funds.
“I don’t have any doubt that they are using that for political reasons,” Pou told Front Office Sports about DHS’s delayed payments.
The Democratic congresswoman went further, characterizing the Trump administration’s intentions as “100%” political.
Pou’s congressional district encompasses MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host eight World Cup matches, including the championship game on July 19. FIFA has designated the facility as “New York New Jersey Stadium” for tournament purposes, dropping the corporate sponsor name.
The representative disputed explanations from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the funding delay.
“Secretary (Kristi) Noem is saying she isn’t releasing them because of funding impasse. That is absolutely not true,” Pou stated.
In a written statement issued last week, Noem defended the department’s position and blamed Democrats for the holdup.
“FEMA was in the final stages of reviewing applications to ensure proper oversight when Democrats shut down the government putting significant portions of the FEMA staff on administrative leave. No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup Grant Program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250. This Democrat shutdown directly impacts DHS’s ability to keep Americans safe at these events and our national security,” Noem wrote.
“Democrats must end this shutdown now and let DHS get back to our mission of protecting the Homeland,” she continued.
Multiple host cities have expressed urgency about receiving their allocated security grants.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, Miami host committee Chief Operating Officer Raymond Martinez warned about his city’s anticipated $70 million grant.
“Within the next 30 days is the drop-dead date. I know that the local agencies are very anxious. But without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination,” Martinez testified.
Kansas City Deputy Police Chief Joseph Mabin also emphasized the critical nature of the federal funding during the same hearing.
“The … funding would be critical for our staffing and our mutual aid partners to come in and assist. We just don’t have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats,” Mabin explained.
